Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Giordano’s Pizza Chicago: Trust Your Taste Buds, Not Your Friends

thepointsoflife

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May 27, 2020

Giardanos Chicago is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

In 2014, I wrote the post The World’s Best Pizza: Chicago Deep Dish Edition. I’ll spare you the click and tell you that the winner for best pizza in Chicago is Lou Malnati’s. In the comments section, my friend, and fellow blogger, Bald Thoughts, said that Giardano’s is better than Lou’s. He was so wrong, leading me to question the end of his tagline, “Live Better.” Here’s why:

Wings

Wings and pizza go together like TPOL and champagne. It was an impulse buy and it was not a great choice. The sauce was nothing special.

Salad

Caesar salad! It’s so simple. Even Ramsey would be disappointed.

Vino

I wasn’t in Naples so it’s my fault for buying a bottle of vino at a chain restaurant and expecting Italian robustness.

Pizza

Extras aside, I came for the pizza. Like a wedding cake, it looked beautiful. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. There was too much cheese for my taste, and it was also too thick for my liking.

Back to Lou’s

Obviously, I had to do a direct comparison, so I went back to Lou’s to make sure that my original verdict stood true. It did. Behold this photo of a pizza that has the perfect amount of depth, cheese, and sauce.

Overall

The pizza at Giordano’s is not bad quality. I like deep dish pizza but a meteorite crater deep is too deep. The lesson here is to know what you like and not to take advice from a blogger.

a receipt in a restaurant — Lee, you owe me $100. Also, I should’ve only tipped on the food, not the wine. And 10% is adequate! What was I thinking?

Pho Paradise Found: Asia on Argyle, Chicago

thepointsoflife

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May 26, 2020

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Best Pho Chicago is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

You’ve read my wine tasting adventures from around the world (see Vineyard Crawl: My Yarra Valley Wine Tour; 2) Franschhoek Wine Tasting Guide: A Life of Indulgence; 3) Mount Etna, Sicily Wine Tour: Fun & Games Until Police Stop; 4) Colchagua Valley, Chile: Carmenere Wine Tasting Guide; 5) Wine Tasting in Santiago, Chile; 6) Wine Tours by Bike NZ: A Must for Wine Enthusiasts; 7) “It’s Like Riding a Bike.” Those words have haunted me for years.). You’ve also read my extensive Pho Reviews from around the world. What if I were to tell you that there’s a place that combines the best of both experiences? And what if I were to tell you that that place is in our backyard?

On the next 30 for 30, TPOL goes for 30 bowls of pho in Asia on Argyle.

Getting There

Take the red line L train to Argyle. Walk to the intersection of Argyle Street and Winthrop Avenue.

Where to Eat

Like wine tasting, you have to start somewhere. I started on Yelp which led me to Pho 777. Here are the photos:

If you know me, then you know that a good bowl of pho is judged by the amount that I leave behind. Clearly, this was a great bowl of pho. The one regret I have is going too hard too quickly, leaving me with a belly full of pho, and nowhere to nap.

TPOL’s TIP: Pho 777 is located at 1065 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640

What to Avoid?

A good bottle of wine doesn’t need a flashy label. It doesn’t need a flashy name. I’ve fallen for that trick too many times. I wondered if these clever pho restaurants were doing themselves a disservice by being too punny pho-nny.

Where to Eat Next

Like wine tasting, I wish I were staying for a few more days so I could sample more pho establishments.

a sign on a building — If it were Pho 787, it would fit nicely into my travel blog as a comparison of the 777 vs. the Dreamliner of pho.

I turned to Yelp again which, unlike Pho 777, led me to a very bad restaurant called Tank Noodle (reference “What to Avoid?” above).

a bowl of soup with meat and vegetables — It looked the part.

a bowl of soup with vegetables and sprouts — But it was no good, no good at all.

Pho-tography

Like wine tasting, there’s more to the experience than sampling. There’s also the beautiful views. The same is true here. If you are in between meals, take photos of the great street art.

Overall

I wish I would’ve had the appetite to try more than one place. At least I know where to go next time I’m in Chicago.

Memories of Memorial Day: Sox & Tigers at U.S. Cellular

thepointsoflife

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May 25, 2020

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U.S. Cellular Field is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of baseball. I have only been to a few games in my life, most notably seeing Bonds hit #667 at SBC Park, the 2007 NLCS between the Rockies and Diamondbacks, the 2013 AL Division Series at Fenway, and the World Baseball Classic in Guadalajara in 2017. Not included in the list are my numerous adventures at Arizona’s spring training exhibitions.

Coming back to America after being gone for too long (see Round the Atlantic Tour Trip Report), the most American thing I could do was go to a baseball game on Memorial Day. And, as luck would have it, the White Sox were playing my Detroit Tigers in Chicago that day.

Train

I took the L train from my hotel to the stadium.

Tickets

TPOL is a master of second-hand tickets (see Ticket Scalping NYC: Know Before You Go and Michigan Ohio State: A Case Study in Ticket Scalping). I saw some entrepreneurs and was able to get tickets for next to nothing.

a man standing in front of a large building with statues — Would the tickets be real?

Pre Game

Baseball is better on booze (see If You Hate Baseball, You’ll Love Spring Training). To save a marginal amount of cash, I stopped at the bar next door for a few beers.

U.S. Cellular Field

Just like it will always be Cowboy Stadium (not AT&T Stadium), it will always be U.S. Cellular Field to me. 500 level notwithstanding, I was able to take some beautiful photos.

a large building with a parking lot and people walking on the street — Horrible name for a company and stadium sponsor.

A Note on the Cubs

While the White Sox are in Detroit’s division, the only team I resent in Chicago are the Cubs (and their fans). I’ve only seen Wrigley from the outside, but my White Sox friends tell me it’s a dump compared to U.S. Cellular.

Hot Dogs

What’s America without baseball? What’s a day at the ballpark without a hot dog?

Views

An advantage of 500 level seating is the view of downtown Chicago as I made my descent from the upper concourse.

Overall

This Memorial Day, I’ll have fond memories of my time at the park and a greater appreciation for Memorial Day.

a statue of baseball players in front of a stadium — I don’t remember who won, but if I had to guess, I’d bet the Tigers lost.

Iberia Business Madrid Chicago: Solid Sweetness

thepointsoflife

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May 25, 2020

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Iberia Business Madrid Chicago Flight Review is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Flying Iberia business is a solid option. Flying it from Madrid to Chicago for 25.5k Avios is the best option.

Seats

Let’s take a look at the seats from a variety of angles.

Verdict: Solid, comfortable.

Amenities Kit

What’s included?

Verdict: Basic bag, basic kit.

Champagne

No Krug here.

Verdict: Basic champagne compared to other flights (see Get Ready to Takeoff: The World’s Best Champagne), but good enough for the passport photo op.

Hors d’oeuvre?

Verdict: Olives, cheese, and meats. Very Spanish of you, thank you.

Food

I’ll have the gazpacho.

Verdict: Cathay Business quality (see Cathay A350 HKG-BKK: I Miss First Already). Not good, not bad.

Dulce

Verdict: No one should complain about ice cream. Solid Sweetness.

Overall

For 25.5k Avios, I’ll commute from Madrid to Chicago.

Iberia Business Madrid Chicago Flight Review is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Iberia VIP Velazquez Lounge Madrid: Better Hungover Or Hungry?

thepointsoflife

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May 22, 2020

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Iberia Lounge Review Madrid is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Is it better to arrive to an airport hungover and take solace knowing you can re-hydrate in a premium lounge? Or is it better to arrive rested knowing that the fun of the lounge and flight made staying in the night before worthwhile (see Flying Business or First? Don’t Rage the Night Before). The answer is somewhere in the middle. Finding that balance is easier said than done. I can say that saving myself for breakfast regardless of the lounge is something is not a top priority (see Skipping Airport Lounges with No Regrets). Eggs are eggs no matter where they are made. And premium free drinks aren’t always desirable so early in the morning. Having said that, I do have a responsibility as a blogger to take photos of croissants and water bottles (see Hangover = Blogger Malpractice?) in case some readers aren’t as loose with Goose as I am. Or, for those who are, what options are available to ease you into the day. With that, I present to you photos of breakfast at the Iberia Lounge in Madrid.

a group of blue bottles with white caps — Early AM water

a group of blue bottles — Fashionable to photo

a group of bottles on a shelf — Early AM beer?

a group of clear jugs with orange juice in them — Early AM jugo

a group of round red and white containers with white text — Early AM ice cream cure?

a coffee machine and food on the counter — Early AM cafe?

a table with plates of food — Early AM Spread

a plate of food on a glass table — Meal 1

a wine cellar with bottles of wine — Mid-AM vino?

a plastic container with food in it — Mid-AM sandwiches

a plate of sandwiches and a bottle of water — Meal 2

Overall

If you’re hungry and are looking for good breakfast option, Iberia has you covered. If you’re hungover and need to go through the usual progressions of a nap will make me feel better, coffee will make me feel better, food will make me feel better, alcohol will make me feel better, or eating again will make me feel better, Iberia also has you covered.

TPOL’s TIP: For a complete, updated review of the lounge, read Iberia Velázquez Premium Lounge: Good, Not Great

Golf Is Back in PR: Safe to Share Tees?

thepointsoflife

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May 21, 2020

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Golf Is Back is part of The Lost & Found Years(s) Trip Report.

Finally, we can golf again, though surfing is still TBD. Carts are still not allowed, leaving me to walk with my clubs (and beer) in hand. Below are the questions I have for the CDC. I am being somewhat facetious when I ask them, but in this day of misinformation who knows what’s crazy and what’s contagious.

If I see a stray ball, do I pick it up? Or is it COVID?
On par 3’s, can I use someone else’s tee that has been left behind? Or Is it COVID?
Can I give myself a gimmie once I’m on the green? Or do I have to putt it out and risk COVID from taking the ball out of the cup?
Cigars? Or will I succumb to COVID?
Will the Clown in Chief invoke the Defense Production Act to make more Clicgear 4.0 push-carts? They are sold out in the entire United States.

a man standing on a golf course — A beautiful day to think of everything but COVID.

Guns & Butter: Madrid Travel Guide

thepointsoflife

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May 20, 2020

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Madrid Travel Guide is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

TPOL’s Guns & Butter Travel Guide is the best way to see as much as you can in as little time as possible. Here’s how it works: A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy. The opportunity cost (what is given up) for relaxing and being Lazy is gained by being adventurous in the form of Labor and vice versa. The guide includes inefficient activities i.e., tourist traps that should be avoided and aspirational activities that are worth doing but may be impossible to see given the constraints of time and resources.

You can see all the other Travel Guides here.

Ah Madrid, once home to Ronaldo, but still home to a damn good time, even if you only have two nights (see Flying Business or First? Don’t Rage the Night Before). While this guide won’t be as lengthy as the others, given my brief stay in this energetic city, it should be enough to get you going. When I return to Madrid, I’ll update it accordingly. Tranquilo.

What Not To Do

Listen to what people tell you to do.

Por ejemplo, I went to Tigre for some tapas. Notably, I called the post Tourist Tapas in Madrid. And because people like to criticize without reading, I was criticized for going to a place where “locals never go.” I’m pretty sure there was at least one person from Madrid in there. This competition of who gets the most authentic experience and the need to fall off the main road onto the unbeaten path is overrated. Sometimes tourist places are fun. And in Madrid there are plenty of them.

Sleep

There’s too much to do and see but if you’re looking for somewhere to sleep, consider the AC Hotels (see AC Hotel Avenida de America Madrid: Free Mini Bar! and AC Atocha Madrid: Shower Time).

What To Do

Attend a Bullfight

In keeping with what I wrote above, formulate your own opinion on whether this is a sport or savage.

Eat

So much delicious food, so many tapas, so little time for my stomach to make room.

Party

So many bars, so many clubs, so little time for my liver to catch up.

What to Do Next Time

Go back! That’s the best advice I can give. I will return and explore more. Travel is not about saying you went to a specific restaurant, an acclaimed bar, or a trendy neighborhood. It’s about going and seeing what trouble can be found and finding the energy of the city.

Madrid Travel Guide is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Swiss Air Lines Zurich to Luxembourg: Just Sounds Rich

thepointsoflife

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May 19, 2020

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Swiss Air is part of the #NoCollusion, No Albania for TPOL where I break my 100 country count mark. See the World Map for where I’ve been.

Going from Zurich to Luxembourg only takes one hour. As you would expect, there aren’t many details regarding the flight itself. The first notable detail is that this is the first time I’ve flown Swiss. It is one of the few carriers that I have not flown premium (see Flight Reviews). Given the cleanliness and crispness of this short flight, I can only imagine what a long-haul flight must be like.

The second reason I am writing this post is to try to capture the what if feeling I had going from one rich financial city to another. What if this trip was more than adding to my Country Count? What if I were on a James Bond mission or what if I were an underground money launderer? Alas, my only celebrity status is being TPOL. And my only duty is to provide photos of the plane. Or…is this blog perhaps a cover for something else?

While you ponder that question, here are the obligatory photos of the plane.

COVID Workout: TRX, Of Course

thepointsoflife

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May 18, 2020

5

COVID Workout TRX is part of The Lost & Found Years(s) Trip Report.

Disclaimer: TPOL gets paid if you purchase TRX goods using my link.

I am going gym free in 2020 out of necessity and out of a desire to be outdoors as much as possible. After this is done, my goal is to not return to a gym. The first step in this process, though not outdoors, was the purchase of the Peloton over a year ago. The second step was to use my TRX ropes regularly instead of just on vacation (see TRX Ropes: Best Way to Workout on the Road). With the golf course closed, I found a perfect palm tree where I could attach my ropes and begin my workout. Then a coconut fell from the adjoining palm tree and I moved locations. Coconut hazard eliminated, I can now safely recommend TRX ropes for daily outdoor use.